Palliative Care in Pediatric Oncology and Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation

To summarize pediatric palliative care (PPC) research from 2016 to 2021 as it intersects with pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).

Children and adolescents with cancer who receive PPC have improved quality of life (QOL), symptom burden, advance care planning discussions, rates of hospice enrollment, home deaths, and receive less intensive therapy at the end-of-life (EOL). Parents report improved QOL and preparation for EOL. Though barriers to PPC utilization exist, new clinical models, oncology team education, and growing family awareness are leading to culture change. PPC within pediatric oncology is considered a standard of care. Families are accepting of PPC, as most wish for their children to live as well as possible for as long as possible. Although PPC remains underutilized, PPC should work collaboratively with pediatric oncology and HSCT teams to improve QOL and EOL outcomes of patients with cancer and their families.